The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) says the internal wrangles that has rocked the MMD is because it is not a political party but a movement and anybody can be a leader.

PF Lusaka District Chairman Goodson Banda says only PF and UNIP are genuine political parties whose leaders founded and rose to become Heads of State.

Mr Banda said Dr Kenneth Kaunda formed the latter United National Independence Party (UNIP) and formed government in 1964 and President Michael Sata who is Patriotic Front (PF) leader founded it and formed government in the September 20 polls last year.

Mr Banda was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when he addressed scores of PF Youth members drawn from different branches namely Chainda, Kaunda Square, Mtendere and Munali.

He said embattled MMD leader Dr Nevers Mumba who has questionable character should not be blamed for leading the MMD because it is a movement which has been led by so many leaders.

“PF is a political party not a movement like the opposition MMD which has been led by so many people hence the reason why it is slowly dying,” Mr Banda said.

The former ruling party, MMD has since been led by the late Dr Frederick Chiluba, the late Dr Levy Mwanawasa and the immediate past Mr Rupiah Banda.

And Mr Banda said PF has no party cards because the leaders and its members are known unlike the opposition political parties that have questionable members and character hence they have party cards.

He said the PF under President Sata has started bearing fruit and urged the youths in the country to align themselves with the PF manifesto to benefit the young people in its ambitious programmes.

The PF Lusaka District Chairman advised the youths to desist from rushing to the media but utilize all the established channels of communication any time they had grievances.

Mr Banda said the PF wants disciplined youths and will not condone indiscipline in the party because it wants to lead by good example and respects the rule of law.

And speaking earlier, PF Munali constituency Youth Chairman Daniel Miyambo urged the youths to be united.

Mr Miyambo said much could be achieved if party members remained strong and united.

ZANIS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”
(Hebrews 12:1–2, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

It’s easy to be tempted to go through life competing with everyone around us. When we see someone who’s more talented, better looking or has more gifts, instead of running our race and being comfortable with who we are, oftentimes we feel inferior and think, “I’ve got to catch up to them.” The problem with this unhealthy competition is that it’s a never-ending cycle.

There will always be someone ahead of us. But, it’s a very freeing thing when you realize, “I’m not competing with you. I don’t have to have as big a house as my neighbor to feel good about myself. I don’t have to keep up with my co-worker. I don’t have to be a certain size. No, I understand that I’m not in competition with my friend, my neighbor or my co-worker. Instead, I’m going to be the best me that I can possibly be.” Friend, that’s an attitude God can work with. When you focus on being who God made you to be, that’s when you’ll rise up higher and position yourself for every spiritual blessing He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I humbly come to You giving You all that I am. I choose to keep my eyes on You and allow You to work in my heart and mind. I declare that I am free from competition today in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen

The Fourth President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda, was last evening honoured with the Honorary Prize for African Democracy as Kenyan Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka called on African leaders to emulate the former Zambian leader’s commitment to respecting the will of the people.

At the 2012 Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize-giving ceremony held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, footage of President Banda’s political life was run on two large screens and, as he was shown conceding defeat in the September 2011 presidential elections and urging all Zambians to support ‘our new president’, he received an appreciative applause from the audience.

The former Zambian head of State was among several personalities who were honoured for their contribution to the wellbeing of Africans. This is the second honour he has received this year after the Crans Montana Prix de la Fondation award he got in Switzerland.

[pullquote]“After accepting defeat, some of my compatriots called me a coward. How could I not accept the results of the elections organised by me as head of State? I was responsible for whatever could happen to the Zambian people. “[/pullquote]

“As Africans, we are proud of you President Banda. You were commander-in-chief in your country and you could have easily disputed the results of the elections. I wish many African leaders could listen to you and realise that even after losing elections, you can be great,” said Vice-President Musyoka to an adoring audience.

More praise was heaped on President Banda by former United Nations under Secretary-General Abdoulie Janneh who described the retired Zambian politician as a political model in Africa and urged other leaders on the continent to learn to accept the will of the people.

Mr Janneh, who is also executive director at the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said it was time African leaders began providing leadership that inspired their people, stressing that leadership was the continent’s major malaise.

And speaking at the same event organised by the Millennium Excellence Foundation, President Banda urged African leaders to do nothing that would endanger the lives of their people.

“After accepting defeat, some of my compatriots called me a coward. How could I not accept the results of the elections organised by me as head of State? I was responsible for whatever could happen to the Zambian people.

“I call upon my fellow Africans to know that there can only be one winner in an election and the rest run the risk of losing. Even after losing elections, you must learn to love one another and live your life as if you were the winner,” President Banda said.

Other laureates at the ceremony were MultiChoice South Africa Group Holdings executive chairman Nolo Letele, Chief Godswill Akpabio, the governor of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria and Governor Moise Katumbi-Chapwe from Katanga Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo while the late Ghanaian President John Evans Atta Mills was represented by his widow Dr Ernestina Naadu Mills.

The awards recognise individuals who have selflessly devoted themselves to bringing about change in the lives of Africans within the last decade.

Meanwhile, President Banda has called on Africans to embrace home-grown initiatives that are aimed at empowering fellow Africans.

He was speaking at the Sovereign Suites in Limuru, about 20 kilometres outside Nairobi at a reception on Friday evening.

He noted that nearly all major international organisations had had their genesis outside Africa, the very reason why Africans needed to support the initiative of the Millennium Excellence Foundation, the organisers of Africa’s most prestigious international awards.

Past recipients of the awards include South Africa’s Desmond Tutu and Cyril Ramaphosa, former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, former World Bank president James Wolfensohn and celebrated Nigerian writer Soyinka.

President Banda is expected to return to Lusaka this morning.

President Michael Sata has responded to the statement issued by the OASIS Forum yesterday accusing the PF Government of trying to reverse the hard won democratic gains Zambia has achieved. In a statement released to the media by his Press man George Chellah, Mr Sata said that the PF Government was determined to build a deeply united, democratic and totally transformed country.

The president challenged the forum to pin-point the specific violations or ‘hard-won democratic gains’ the Government was attempting to reverse.

President Sata said that it would been more helpful if the Oasis Forum recognised that the central aim of national building lay in constructive engagement of specific sectors of governance.

“It’s only fair that if there are other broader governance issues they want to raise they should engage the Minister of Justice. Merely issuing statements will not solve our country’s problems. It might win them kudos but it won’t take them and the country very far,” the President said.

“As leaders we need to encourage our citizens that our nation’s survival and growth is anchored on active engagement and participation on several matters concerning our country. Therefore, we wish to advise our colleagues in the Oasis Forum and other stakeholders to learn to engage and not play to the gallery.”

President Sata said that the PF administration is resolute to establishing a close working relationship with various stakeholders for the benefit of the country.

“We are a democratic Government that fully understands its limitations as enshrined in our Republican Constitution. Furthermore, this Government is serious about delivering development to our people through economic growth, job creation and combating corruption and crime among others,”

“We are aware that this will only be achieved if we work with all stakeholders who are serious about meaningful dialogue that translates into beneficial results for our people. No wonder, since getting into Government, I have made it my preoccupation as Head of State to engage the public as widely as possible including the Church.”

The President advised the Oasis Forum against declaring disputes before engaging the Government conclusively.